Whole-body MRI: a practical guide for imaging patients with malignant bone disease

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Whole-body MRI is essential for staging systemic malignant bone disease and monitoring treatment efficacy.
• It is recommended for imaging patients with myeloma or metastatic prostate cancer.
• Advancements allow high-quality whole-body MRI acquisition in under 45 minutes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide guidance on the indications, technical execution, and clinical interpretation of whole-body MRI for malignant bone disease.
• To address barriers to adoption, such as lack of experience and perceived long acquisition times.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and clinical practice guidelines for whole-body MRI in malignant bone disease.
• Discussion of technical parameters for optimal image acquisition.
• Guidance on interpreting findings for systemic disease assessment.

Main Results:

• Whole-body MRI offers comprehensive morphological and functional imaging of malignant bone disease.
• Modern MRI systems facilitate rapid, high-quality data acquisition.
• Standardized protocols and interpretation are key to successful implementation.

Conclusions:

• Whole-body MRI is a valuable tool for managing patients with systemic malignant bone disease.
• This article provides a framework to facilitate its wider adoption and effective use in clinical practice.
• Addressing technical and interpretive challenges is crucial for maximizing its benefits.